Russia’s Andrey Rublev came in the way of Rafael Nadal winning his 12th title at Monte Carlo Masters, defeating the Spaniard 6-2, 4-6, 6-2 in the quarter final here on Friday.

The 23-year-old defeated the king of clay to enter his second consecutive Masters 1000 semi-final, after reaching the last-four stage at Miami.

Rublev will face Casper Ruud, who defeated Fabio Fognini 6-4, 6-3.

Earlier, Stefanos Tsitsipas advanced to the semi-finals, when his opponent Alejandro Davidovich withdrew after losing the first set 7-5.

Tsitsipas, the world No.5, will play his sixth Masters 1000 semi-final on Saturday, and his first in the principality, against Englishman Dan Evans, the conqueror of Novak Djokovic. Evans got the better of 11th seed David Goffin of Belgium 5-7, 6-3, 6-4.

Struggling with an injury to his left thigh, Spaniard Davidovich tried an underarm serve when facing set point. Tsitsipas pounced to hit a winning backhand return. Until he was hurt, Davidovich gave his Greek opponent problems. But at 3-3, Davidovich called for the doctor to treat his left thigh.